Remote control starting system

ABSTRACT

A system for remotely controlling electrical devices as in the starting of automobiles and the like employing a transceiver, a receiver-transmitter and an actuating solenoid. The transceiver includes circuitry adapted to transmit selected radio frequency signals for performing selected functions during starting of the automobile. The receiver-transmitter includes circuitry adapted to transmit a signal to the transceiver upon receipt of a first check range signal from the transceiver, energize the auto ignition circuit and energize the auto starter upon receipt of a second signal from the transceiver, and energize the actuating solenoid upon receipt of a third signal. The solenoid is adapted to actuate the fuel linkage upon being energized. The receivertransmitter circuit is further adapted to limit the running time of the engine upon starting, transmit an intermittent signal to the transceiver during initial engine running, and stop the engine upon opening a door of the auto during the initial engine running period.

United States Patent 2,915,644 12/1959 Hillig lnventors Giuseppe ReBaratelli Glenview; Theodore J. Galvani, Deer-field, lll. Appl. No.734,744 Filed June 5,1968 Patented May 4, 1971 Assignee RamostarCorporation Deerfield, lll.

REMOTE CONTROL STARTING SYSTEM 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 290/38, 290/37, 123/179 Int. Cl F02n 11/08 Field of Search290/37, 38; 123/179 (B, Big) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS123/179(BIG) 3,040,724 6/1962 Kennemer 3,455,403 7/1969 HawthorneABSTRACT: A system for remotely controlling electrical devices as in thestarting of automobiles and the like employing a transceiver, areceiver-tramsmitter and an actuating solenoid. The transceiver includescircuitry adapted to transmit selected radio frequency signals forperforming selected functions during starting of the automobile. Thereceiver-transmitter includes circuitry adapted to transmit a signal tothe transceiver upon receipt of a first check range signal from thetransceiver, energize the auto ignition circuit and energize the autostarter upon receipt of a second signal from the transceiver, andenergize the actuating solenoid upon receipt of a third signal. Thesolenoid is adapted to actuate the fuel linkage upon being energized,The receiver-transmitter circuit is further adapted to limit the runningtime of the engine upon starting, transmit an intermittent signal to thetransceiver dur- 2,952,782 9/ 1960 Woyden 123/ l 79(B1G) ing initialengine running, and stop the engine upon opening a 3,054,904 9/1962Fuciarelli 290/3 8 door of the auto during the initial engine runningperiod.

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1 REMOTE CONTROL STARTING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to electrical control systems, and more particularlyto a system for remotely controlling the starting of automobile enginesand the like whereby to permit warming or cooling of the automobileinterior, as appropriate, before occupancy by the operator, and topermit the engine to reach a normal operating temperature before beingdriven.

Systems for starting automobile engines independently of the operator ordriver are generally known. One such auto starter system employs athermocouple or thermostat which is disposed within the cooling system,engine compartment, and/or passenger compartment and serves to close aswitch to start the auto engine when the cooling fluid, enginecompartment and/or passenger compartment reaches a certain predeterminedtemperature. Another known auto starter system utilizes a clock-switchmechanism which the operator may set to close the engine starter switchat a desired time whereupon the auto engine is caused to start. Thefirst-mentioned system has the disadvantage that the operator has noknowledge or control of the time when the engine is caused to start andrun. The last-mentioned system has the particular disadvantage that ifthe engine does not start at the preselected time, the operator mustwait a lengthy period of time for the clock-switch to again approach thestarting time.

A known system for remotely starting automobile engines utilizes acontrol switch remotely positioned from the auto and directlyelectrically connected to the motor starter switch, thereby allowing theoperator toclose the remote switch and effect starting of the autoengine. Systems for remotely controlling other electrically actuateddevices are also generally known. For example, remotely-controlledgarage door opening systems using radio signals have been commerciallyavailable for some period of time.

- The prior art automobile starting systems, as well as the knownsystems for remotely controlling other electrical devices, exhibit manyundesirable characteristics. One of the drawbacks of the prior artremotely controlled starting systems is the failure to adequatelyprevent operation of the system by an unauthorized person or by anextraneous signal. Another drawback in the known automobile startersystems is the failure to provide means whereby the remote operator candetermine if the engine has been successfully started. Another drawbackin the known auto starter systems is the failure to provide means foractuating the gas or fuel linkage if the engine initially fails tostart. Yet another disadvantage in known prior art starter systems isthe failure to prevent an unauthorized person from entering the auto anddriving it away after it has been started by the remotely controlledstarter'system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the primary objects of the presentinvention is to provide a novel remotely controlled automobile startersystem which overcomes the disadvantages in the known prior art autostarter systems, and which system is highly efficient and dependable inoperation.

transmitter means adapted to transmit selective radio signals modulatedby two or more combined audiofrequencies,

thereby substantially eliminating the possibility of actuation of thesystem by an unauthorized person or by an extraneous signal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel remotelycontrolled auto starter system utilizing receivertransmitter meansadapted to receive selected radio signals from a transceiver, and whichreceiver-transmitter means includes circuitry adapted to transmit a tonemodulated signal to the transceiver upon receipt of a check range"signal from the transceiver, the check range" signal being a particularHer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remotelycontrolled auto starter system as described wherein thereceiver-transmitter includes circuit means adapted to receive radiosignals from the transceiver and selectively effect energizing of anauto ignition circuit and starter motor therefor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remotelycontrolled auto starter system as described wherein thereceiver-transmitter includes circuit means to limit the time durationof engine running upon initial starting thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remotelycontrolled auto starter system as described wherein thereceiver-transmitter includes circuit means adapted to terminate enginerunning upon the opening of one of the car doors during the initialstarting period, or upon actuating a switch attached to the gear shiftlever, a parking brake, or a pressure sensitive switch placed on thefloor under the operator's feet or on the springs of the drivers seat.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a remotelycontrolled auto starter system as described including an actuatingsolenoid adapted to depress the fuel linkage of the auto upontransmission of a selected signal to the receivertransmitter from thetransceiver.

In a preferred embodiment of a remotely controlled automobile startersystem in accordance with the present invention, a transceiver hand unitis provided to transmit selected radiosignals to a receiver-transmitterdisposed within an automobile. Each of the transmitted radio signalscomprises two or more combined audio frequencies and is effective toperform a particular function in the automobile starter system. A firstcheck range signal is effective to establish whether thereceiver-transmitter is within range of the radio signals to start theautomobile engine. A second transmitted radio signal is effective toenergize the auto ignition circuit and energize the engine starter. Athird transmitted radio signal is effective to actuate a solenoid fordepressing the gas or fuel linkage supplying fuel to the auto engine.

The receiver-transmitter installed in the vehicle includes a range tonegenerator to effect transmittal of a signal to the transceiver uponreceipt of the check range signal. The receiver-transmitter is adaptedto energize the auto ignition circuit and energize the auto starter tostart the engine upon receipt of a suitably coded radio signal from thetransceiver. The receiver-transmitter further includes circuit means todetect ignition pulses from the ignition pulse coil upon engine startingand transmit a pulsed tone signal to the transceiver to indicate thatthe engine is running. The receiver-transmitter includes a circuit meansto limit the initial engine running time to a preselected value, andmeans to terminate initial engine running upon the opening of one of thecar doors, thereby preventing unauthorized entry and driving away of thecar. The receiver-transmitter includes circuit means to energize theactuating solenoid upon receipt of a different suitably coded signalfrom the transceiver, the actuating solenoid being adapted to depressthe fuel or gas linkage to supply additional fuel to the auto engine.Starting of the auto engine converts the receiver-transmitter to atransmitting state, thereby preventing receipt of signals to effect theabove starting operations after the engine is running.

Further objects and advantages of our invention, together with theorganization and manner of operation thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals designate like parts throughout theseveral views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustrationof the components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the actuating solenoid being illustrated in cooperation with anaccelerator linkage of an automobile;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the hand transceiver illustrated in FIG.I;

FlG. is a block diagram illustrating the circuitry of thetransmitter-receiver of FIG. 1 and selected associated circuitry;'

FIGS. 4 and 5 are circuit diagrams illustrating selected portions of thereceiver-transmittercircuit;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the actuating solenoid'shownin FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG.6 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT General Description Referringnow to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. I, a system in accordancewith a. preferred embodiment of the present invention for remotelystarting an automobile engine is illustrated as comprising a handtransceiver unit, indicated generally at 10, a receiver-transmitterunit, indicated generally at 12, and an actuating solenoid, indicatedgenerally at '14. in general, the hand unit 10 is adapted to transmitselective radio signals to the receiver-transmitter 12 which is suitablymounted within an automobile. Upon receipt of the radio signals, thereceiver-transmitter 12 is adapted to effect either closing orenergizing of the automobile ignition switch with simultaneousenergizing of the engine starter motor, or energizing of the actuatingsolenoid 14, or the establishment of a check range signal or a runsignal which is transmitted to the transceiver 10, as will be more fullydescribed hereinbelow.

The hand transceiver 10 comprises a lightweight casing or housing 16made from a suitable lightweight material, such as plastic. The casing16 serves to enclose the transceiver circuitry and has a conventionaltelescopic .or extendable antenna 18 supported thereon. A plurality ofpushbuttons 20, 22, 24 and 26 are suitably supported on an upper surfaceof the easing '16 for selective actuation of associated switch means bythe operator as will be more fully described hereinbelow. Thepushbuttons 20, 22, 24 and 26 are termed the on-off" button, the checkrange" button, the start" button and the gas button, respectively. Thepushbutton 20 is such that it will remain depressed upon removing theinitial depressing force, but will return to its upward position uponapplication of a second downward force. The pushbuttons 22, 24 and 26are urged to normal upward positions whenever depressing forces f arenot applied thereto. A louvered opening 28 is provided in the casing 16behind whichis suitably supported a conventional speaker to be describedhereinafter.

The receiver-transmitter 12 includes a casing or housing 30 which servesto enclose the circuitry of the receiver-transmitter and may be made ofany suitable material, such as plastic or aluminum. Thereceiver-transmitter 12 is adapted to be installed in an automobile forremotely starting the auto through the remotely disposed handtransceiver unit 10. The casing 30 of the receiver-transmitter 12includes a front surface 32.having connector outlets 34 therein whichallow the receiver-transmitter circuitry to be connected to selectedelements of the automobile electrical system, as will be more fullydescribed hereinbelow. A pair of connectors 36 and 38 are also providedin the surface 32 of casing 30 and providea means for coupling thereceiver-transmitter to a conventional cuit also prevents loss of signalto the automobile radio due to the presence of the receiver-transmittercircuitry for both the conventional AM and FM bands. A conventionalbayonettype connection fuse holder 42 and an engine running timeselection switch 44 are provided on the surface 32 of casing 30. Thetime selection switch 44 provides a means for selectively varying therunning periodof the engine after initial starting, as will be morefully described below; c

The actuating solenoid 14 includes a base portion 46 and an upperaxially movable portion 48. The base portion 46 is suitably secured to afloor panel, a portion of which is shown at 50, of the automobilegenerally adjacent a conventional accelerator linkage member 52 which isdepressible through a pivotally mounted accelerator pedal 54 toselectively increase the flow of fuel to the automobile engine in aknown manner.

The upper axially movable portion 48 of the actuating solenoid 14 has anL-shaped actuating rod 56 adjustably secured thereto, such that the legportion of the rod overlies the accelerator linkage 52 when the upperportion 48 of the solenoid is in its uppermost position. Energizing theactuating solenoid effects lowering of the upper portion 48 thereofcausing the L- shaped rod 56 to depress the accelerator linkage 52. Forau tomobiles having an accelerator pedal which is operable to controlthe fuel supply ,to the engine without using an accelerator linkage ofthe type shown at 52, the actuating solenoid 14 may be suitablypositioned on the floor panel 50 of the automobile such that theactuating rod 56 directly overlies the accelerator pedal to effectdirect depression thereof upon energizing the solenoid. For purposes ofillustration, the actuating solenoid 14 is illustrated as beingelectrically connected to one of the connectors 34 of thereceiver-transmitter 12 through suitable conductors 58.

The general operation of the remotely controlled auto starter systemillustrated in FIG. 1 is as follows. Having connected thereceiver-transmitter 12 to the automobile power supply storage battery,to the conventional ignition switch in the ignition circuit of the auto,to the starter motor of the auto, and to the actuating solenoid 14, theoperator may transmit a selected signal from the hand transceiver unit10 remotely positioned from the automobile to effect starting thereof.The operator initially depresses the on-off button 20 of the handtransceiver unit 10 to connect the transceiver circuitry to a powersupply within the casing 16, such power supply comprising, for example,conventional carbon-zinc batteries. With only the on-ofi button 20depressed, the transceiver acts as a receiver. Depressing the checkrange button 22 onthe hand transceiver unit converts the unit to atransmitter and transmits a check range signal to thereceiver-transmitter 12. Subsequent release of button 22 reconverts thetransceiver 10 to a receiver. Upon receipt of the check range signal,the receivertransmitter 12 transmits a timed uniform signal to the handtransceiver 10 to produce an audible tone indicating that the automobileis within range of the transceiver 10 for purposes of starting theengine thereof. Subsequent depression of the start button 24 on thetransceiver 10 transmits a second signal to the receiver-transmitter 12to effect closing of the auto ignition switch and energizing of thestarter motor to start the engine. if the engine should fail to start inthis manner, the

operator may depress the gas button 26 on the hand transceiver unit 10whereupon the actuating solenoid 14 is energized to effect depressing ofthe accelerator linkage 52, thereby to open the fuel valve of the enginecarburetor in a conventional manner. Thereafter, the operator may againdepress the startbutton 24 of the hand transceiver unit to again closethe auto ignition circuit and energize the starter motor. As will bemore fully described hereinbelow, the receiver-transmitter 12 includescircuitry adapted to transmit a pulsed tone signal to the handtransceiver 10 during running of the auto engine. Thereceiver-transmitter circuitry further is adapted to limit the runningtime of the engine upon starting thereof, such running time beingselectively variable through the time switch 44 on the front face 32 ofthe receiver-trans Detailed Description of the Transceiver CircuitryReferring now to FIG. 2, the on-off pushbutton 20 of the transceiver isshown associated with a double-pole doublethrow switch illustratedschematically at 60. The pushbuttons 22, 24 and 26 are associated withfour-pole double-throw switches, illustrated schematically at 62, 64 and66, respectively.

The switch 60 associated with the on-off pushbutton is connected betweena DC low voltage source, such as a 9-volt battery 68, and a groundconductor 70 such that when thepushbutton 20 is depressed, the. voltagesource 68 is connected to. ground and thereby to the remaining circuitelements of the hand transceiver unit 10. With the pushbutton 20depressed to connect the DC voltage source 68 to the remaining circuitelements, and the pushbuttons 22, 24 and 26 in theirnormal upperpositions, the transceiver 10 acts as {a receiver'. For this purpose,the transceiver circuitry includes a receiver such as a conventionalsuperregenerative detector, indicated generally at 72, which is coupledto the antenna 18 through an inductance 74 and a capacitor 76. A tunableRF .coii 78 is connected in series with the collector element of atransistor 80 of the detector 72, the collector of the transistor beingconnected through the tunable RF coil 78 and an input conductor 82 to aconventional audio amplifier, indicated generally at 84. An appropriatesignal received by the detector 72 is amplified by the audio amplifier84 and applied to a speaker 86 through a coupling transformer 87. Thespeaker 86 ispositioned behind the louvcred opening 28 in the casing 16of the transceiver) as above described with respect to H0. 1.

The superregenerative detector 72 is converted from a receiver to acrystal controlled transmitter'by connecting a piezoelectric crystal88in circuit with the base element of the transistor 80 anddisconnecting a capacitor 90 from the emitter circuit. The base circuitof the transistor 80 is normally shorted across the piezoelectriccrystal 88 through conductors 92, 94 and switches 62, 64 and 66.Correspondingly, the capacitor 90 is .nonnally connected between theemitter element of the transistor 80 and a ground connection 95 throughswitches 62:64 and 66. It can be seen that depressing any of thepushbuttons 22, 24.or 26 will break the shorting circuit of conductors92"'and 94 around crystal 88, thereby connecting the piezoelectriccrystal into the transistor base circuit while disconnecting thecapacitor 90 from the ground connection 95. The piezoelectric crystal 88when connected in circuit with the base of the transistor 80 to convertthe receiver 72 to a transmitter, establishes the RF frequency of thetransmitter in .a known manner:

'. As noted above, when either the check range pushbutton 96. The tuningfork elements are connected in a conventional manner through amplifyingtransistors, such as 104, to the voltage source 68 through the switches62, 64 and 66, such that the tuning forks are continually energized whenthe on-off switch 20 is depressed. It has been found that the use oftone generators utilizing tuning fork elements provides the desiredstabilization and operating efficiency over wide temperature ranges. Thetone generators 96, 98 and 100 are connected in circuit with theswitches 62 64 and 66, such that depression of any one of thepushbuttons 22, 24 and 26 will apply the modulating frequencies of twoof the three tone generators to the audio amplifier 84 and thence to thetransmitter 80. For example, depression of the check range pushbutton 22will connect the audio modulating frequencies of the tone generators-98and 100 in circuit with the amplifier 84. ln similar fashion;

circuit with the amplifier 84. Similarly, depression of the gaspushbutton 26 will connect the audio modulating frequencies of the tonegenerators 96 and98 in circuit with the amplifier The modulatingfrequencies applied to modulate the RF carrier are provided by aplurality of conventional tone generators, three tone generators beingindicated generally at 96, 98 and 100. The tone generators are connectedthrough the switches 62, 64 and 66 to the audio amplifier 84 such thatselective frequency combinations of two of the three tone generators maybe connected to the audio amplifier. When the transceiver is operated asa transmitter the audio amplifier is used as a'modulator for .the RFstage. That is, toamplitude modulate the transmitted signal.

The tone generators 96, 98 and 100 are generally similar in constructionand each employs a tuning fork element, one of which is indicatedschematically at'l02 for the tone generator While the transceiver 10 hasbeen described as utilizing three tone generators or audio oscillators96, 98 and 100,'the frequencies of two of which are selectively combinedto amplitude modulate the RF frequency of the piezoelectric element 88during transmission of radio signals, it will. be understood that anydesired number of tone generators or audio oscillators may be utilizedwith the audio modulating frequencies of selected combinations of theaudio oscillators being combined through appropriate connection with theswitches 62, 64 and 66 to vary the radio signals transmitted. Theprecise stable audio frequencies provided by the tuning fork elementspermit narrow separation of the audio frequencies used, therebyincreasing the number of combinations of audiofrequencies which may beused to modulate the transmitter. By'combining two or more of theaudiofrequencies of the tone generators in establishing the radiosignals from the transceiver, the subject auto starter systemsubstantially reduces the possibility of actuation by extraneous radiosignals or by unauthorized persons attempting to duplicate the radiosignals necessary to actuate the system.

General Description of the Receiver-Transmitter Circuitry Referring nowto FIG. 3, the circuit elements comprisingthe receiver-transmitter 12are shown in block diagram form. The circuit elements of the receivertransmitter 12 are normally connected as a receiver-adapted to receivethe radio signals from the transceiver 10 and effect selectiveenergizing or actuation of the ignition switch and starter switch of theautomobile, as well as energizing the actuating solenoid 14 to depressthe accelerator linkage of the automobile.

Considering the receiver-transmitter circuit in its receiving state, thesignals received by the antenna 40 are fed to a conventional frequencyselective circuit 110. The frequency selective circuit serves to passsignals in a selected frequency range to areceiver, indicated generallyat 112,.

through a relay switch 113. The receiver 112 is preferably of thecrystal-controlled superheterodyne type for precise narrow band RFselectivity. It has been found desirable to provide a frequencyselective circuit which will pass radio signals in the range of 27megacycles to the receiver 112 while passing the signals outside thisrange to the auto radio through a suitable conductor 114. The receiver112 includes a conventional mixer circuit 116, a conventional 1Famplifier '118, and a conventional detector circuit which converts theIF signal from the amplifier 118 to an audio signal. The signal from thedetector 120 is fed to a conventional audio amplifier 122 through arelay switch 124. As will be more fully described below, the relayswitches 113 and 124 are movable from the positions shown in solid linesin FIG. 3 to the positions shown in dash lines to convert thereceiver-transmitter to a transmitting state.

The audio amplifier 122 may comprise a conventional twostage audioamplifier, the output signal of which is fed to a conventional decodercircuit 126 The decoder circuit 126 preferably comprises a conventionalmultichannel resonant reed relay which is activated by specificaudiofrequencies and serves to decode the signals received from theaudio amplifier 122 and feed the resulting output signals to separateintegrating circuits 128, 130 and 132. The integraters convert thepulsating AC signals from the decoder circuit 126 to steady DC signals.The DC signals from the integraters 128, 130 and 132 are fed to relaydrivers 134, 136 and 138, respectively, for the fuel, start and ignitionfunctions utilized in starting an automobile engine.

The output signals from the gas relay driver 134 and the start relaydriver 136 are fed to a gas relay 142 and a start relay 144,respectively, through an enabling circuit 1407 The enabling circuit 140also receives a signal from the ignition relay driver 138 and is adaptedto prevent energizing of the gas or start relays 142 and 144 until theenabling'circuit receives a signal fromthe ignition relay driver. Theoutput signal from the ignition relay driver 138 is also fed to an ORcircuit 146 which supplies a signal to an ignition relay 148.

The gas relay 142, the start relay 144, and the ignition relay 148 areassociated with relay switches 150, 152-and 154, respectively. The relayswitches 150, 152 and 154, when closed by their respective relays 142,144 and 148, serve to energize selected functions in the automobilestarter system. The gas relay switch 150 is operative to energizeactuating solenoid 14 to depress the accelerator linkage of the auto andsupply fuel to the engine combustion chambers in a known manner. Thestarter relay switch 152 is operative to energize a startermotor,indicated schematically at 156, while the ignition relay switch154 is operative to energize a conventional ignition circuit of theautomobile, indicatedat 158.

a As noted above, with the on-off button 20 of the transceiver unitdepressed, depression of the check range pushbutton 22 establishes aradio output signal comprising the RF of the piezoelectric crystal 88amplitude modulated by the audiofrequencies of tone generators 98 and100. Tone generators 98 and 100 may be termed the gas tone generator andthe start tone generator, respectively. The radio signal based uponmodulation of the RF carrier by the audio frequencies of the tonegenerators 98 and 100, may be termed a first or check range signal fromthe transceiver 10. Correspondingly, the radio output signal of thetransceiver as established by depression of the start pushbutton 24 istermed a second or start signal and comprises the RF frequency of thepiezoelectric crystal 88 as amplitude modulated by the combinedaudiofrequencies of tone generators 96 and 100. Similarly, the radiooutput signal established by depressing the gas pushbutton 26 may betermed the third or gas signal from the transceiver and comprises the RFfrequency of the piezoelectric crystal 88 amplitude modulated by the.combined audiofrequencies of tone generators 96 and 98. The integratercircuits 128, 130 and 132 serve to decode the signals transmitted to thereceiver-transmitter 12 such that the input signals to the gas relaydriver 134, the start relay driver 136 and the ignition relay driver 138correspond to the frequency signals of the gas tone generator 98, thestart tone generator 100 and the ignition tone generator 96,respectively.

The output signals from the gas relay driver 134 and the start relaydriver 136 are also fed to an AND gate circuit 160. The output signal ofthe AND gate circuit 160 is fed to a check range ON circuit 162.Energizing the check range ON circuit 162 effects switching of the relayswitches 113 and 124 through a receiver-transmitter relay 164 and asuitable switch linkage 163 to convert the receiver-transmitter 12 to atransmitting state. The latter state is established through switchingthe receiver 112 out of the receiver-transmitter circuit while switchinga conventional crystal controlled transistor oscillator transmitter 172into the receiver-transmitter circuit. The

check range ON circuit 162 is connected to the relay 164, a

check range timer circuit 166 and a check range tone generator 168. Uponbeing energized, the check range tone generator 168 serves to establishan output signal which is fed to the audio amplifier 122. The outputsignal of. the amplifier 122 then amplitude modulates the transmitter 172.

When the automobile engine is started through closing the start relayswitch 152 and the ignition relay switch 154, the coil of the automobiledistributor, indicated at 174, and associated distributor establishignition pulses in a known manner. The ignition pulses are fed to anignition pulse detector 176 and also to the output of the audioamplifier 122 through a suitable conductor 178. The signal transmittedto the output of the audio amplifier 122 through the conductor 178 isthereafter applied to the transmitter 172 to create a pulsatingtonesignal which is transmitted to the transceiver 10 during running of theautomobile engine. The ignition pulse detector 176 detects the pulsesfrom the ignition pulse coil 174 and feeds a signal to an ignitionlock-in circuit 180 which, in turn, is connected to an AND circuit 182.The AND circuit 182is connected through the OR circuit to thereceivertransmitter relay 164 and serves to lock the relay in a positionwherein the relay switches 113 and 124 maintain the receivertransmitter14 in its transmitting state when the engine is initially running. Thereceiver-transmitter 12 is thus converted from a receiving state to atransmitting state whenever signals are supplied to the AND circuit 182from both the lock-in circuit and the interlock circuit or when thecheck range ON circuit 162 receives a signal from the AND gate circuit160.

The AND circuit 182 is also connected to an engine-run timer 184, theoutput of which is fed to an ignitionshut-off circuit 186. As will bemore fully described hereinbelow, the engine-run timer 184 is adapted toestablish an initial running period for the auto engine upon initialstarting thereof and, after the predetermined running period, serves toopen the ignition circuit of the automobile and thereby stop the engine.

The receiver-transmitter circuit also includes means to terminate enginerunning during the above-noted initial running period when one of thedoors of the auto is opened. Such means includes door switch means,indicated at 188, associated with the conventional door-controlledinterior light switches such that upon opening one of the doors, a doorswitch interlock circuit 190 is energized. As will be more fullydescribed hereinafter, the door switch interlock circuit 190 may takeeither of two alternative embodiments, each embodiment being adapted foruse with one of the two known types of conventional automobile doorswitches. The door switch interlock circuit 190 is connected to the ANDcircuit 182 which, as noted above, is connected both to the OR circuit170 and the engine-run timer 184. The AND circuit 182 is such that it iselectrically operatively associated with the OR circuit 170 and theengine-run timer circuit 184 only when it receives proper signals bothfrom the ignition lock-in circuit 180 and the door switch interlockcircuit 190. In this manner, the doors of the automobile must be closedupon initial starting of the automobile engine and remain closed duringthe initial running period in order to maintain a proper signal from theinterlock circuit 190 to the AND circuit 182. If a door of theautomobile is opened during the initial running period, the signal tothe AND circuit 182 will be terminated, thereb stopping the automobileengine.

Detailed Description of Selected Receiver-Transmitter Circuitry FIGS. 4and 5 illustrate in detail selected circuitry portions of thereceiver-transmitter circuit generally described above with respect toFIG. 3. it will be understood that while the receiver-transmitter 14 isdescribed below in conjunction with a l2-volt DC source, the circuitelements may be readily adapted for use with a 6-volt DC source.

FIG. 4 illustrates the circuitry for the gas relay driver 134, the startrelay driver 136, the ignition relay driver 138, the

enabling circuit 140 and the AND gate circuit 160. The circuits for eachof the gas, start and ignition relay drivers 134, 136, 138,respectively, are substantially identical. The ignition relay driver 138includes first, second and third transistors 200, 202, and 204 connectedsuch that the base element of transistor 204 is connected through aresistor 20.6 to the emitter element of transistor 202, the base elementof transistor 202 is connected to the emitter element of transistor 200,and the base element of transistor 200 is connected to its correspondingconventional integratorcircuit 132 through a suitable conductor 208. Thecollector elements of transistors 200, 202 and 204 are connected to theauto DC voltage source, conventionally a l2-volt DC battery, through aconductor 210. The emitter of transistor 202 is connected through aresistor 212 to a ground connection 214, which ground connection is alsoconnected to the emitter of the transistor 204. A relay coil 216,comprising the coil for the ignition relay 148, is connectedin serieswith the conductor 210 and is adapted to actuate the relay switch 154upon being energized as will be more fully described hereinbelow. Therelay switch 154 serves to energize the ignition circuit of the auto,connecting it to the l2-volt DC auto voltage source.

As noted, the circuits for the gas relay driver 134 and the start relaydriver 136 are generally similar to the ignition relay driver circuit138. Each of the relay driver circuits 134, 136 comprises threetransistors connected in similar fashion to the transistors 200, 202 and204 of the ignition relay driver circuit 138. A first transistor 218 ofthe gas relay driver circuit 134 has its base element connected througha conductor 220 to its corresponding conventional intergrator circuit128. Similarly, the base element of a first transistor 222 of the startrelay drive'r circuit 136 is connected through a conductor 224 to itscorresponding conventional integrator circuit 130. The gas relay drivercircuit 134 and start relay driver circuit 136 include secondtransistors 226 and 228, respectively, which have their collectorelements connected to the l2-volt DC voltage source of the automobilethrough conductors 230 and 232, respectively. The emitter elements oftransistors 226 and 228 are connected through resistors 231 and 233,respectively, to ground. The emitter elements of transistors 226 and 228are also connected through diodes 234 and 236, respectively, to aconductor 238. The conductor 238 connects the parallel connected diodes234 and 236 to a conductor 284 (FIG. 5) through a resistor 239, theconductor 284 being connected to a l2-volt DC voltage source. The diodes234, 236 and the resistor 239 comprise the above-noted AND circuit 160;

The gas relay and start relay driver circuits 134 and 136, respectively,include third transistors 240 and 242, respectively, having their baseelements connected through resistors 206 to the emitter elements of theassociated transistors 226 and 228. The emitter elements of thetransistors 240 and 242 are connected through a suitable conductor 244to the collector elements of a pair of transistors 246 and 248 whichcomprise the enabling circuit :140. The emitter of the transistor 246 isconnected to the base element of the transistor 248, while the emitterelement of the transistor 248 is connected to ground.

The base element of the transistor-246 is connected through a resistor250 through the emitter element of the transistor 202 of the ignitionrelay driver circuit 138. A relay coil 252 comprising the coil for thegas relay 142 is connected in circuit with the conductor 230 between thel2-volt DC voltage source and the collector of the transistor 240. Thecoil 252 is associated with the relay switch 150 in a conventionalmanner to effect closing of the relay switch 150 and connect the 12-volt DC voltage source of the auto to a suitable conductor 254, which inturn is connected to the actuating solenoid 14 as will be more fullydescribed hereinbelow.

In similar fashion, a relay coil 256 is connected to the conductor 232between the'l2-volt DC source and the collector of the transistor 242 ofthe start relay driver circuit 136. The relay coil 256-comprises theenergizing coil for the start relay 144 and serves to effect actuationof the starter relay switch 152 in a conventional manner. Closing of thestart relay switch 152 connects the l2-volt DC voltage source of theauto to the conventional starting relay of the auto starter motorthrough a conductor 258.

lt can be seen that when a signal is applied to the base of thetransistor 200 of the ignition relay driver circuit 138 from thecorresponding integrator circuit 132 through conductor 208, thetransistors 202 and 204 will be caused to conduct, thereby connectingthel2-volt DC source to ground 214 through conductor 210 and ignitionrelay coil 216, and closing the ignition relay switch 154. It is knownin starting an automobile engine that the ignition switch must be closedsimultaneously with energizing the starter motor. Accordingly, when thesecond or start signal is transmitted from the transceiver 10 to thereceiver-transmitter 12, the modulating audio frequencies of the tonegenerators 96 and 100 are separated from thesignal through the decodingcircuit 126 such that appropriate signals are applied through theintegrator circuits 130 and 132 to the base elements of the transistors200 and 222. To energize the starter relay coil 256 of the start relaydriver 136, the emitter of transistor 242 is connected to ground throughtransistor 248 of the enabling circuit 140. Transistor 248 is turned onby the transistor 246 which in turn is turned on by receiving a signalfrom the emitter of transistor 202 of the ignition relay driver circuit138 as above described.

In similar fashion, a third or start signal transmitted by thetransceiver 10 to the receiver-transformer 14 effects energizing of theignition relay driver circuit 138 and the gas relay driver circuit 134.The circuit through the gas relay coil 252 is completed to groundthrough the enabling circuit 140 in similar fashion to the grounding ofthe emitter of the transistor 242 of the start relay driver circuit 136.

To maintain the ignition relay switch 154 in closed position and therebymaintain the auto engine in a running condition after initial starting,the conductor 210 from the l2-volt DC source through the ignition coil216 is adapted to be connected to ground through a conductor 260 and theAND circuit 182; Referring to FIG. 5, the conductor 260 is connected tothe OR circuit 146 which comprises a diode 262. The diode 262 is alsoconnected to the collector element of a transistor 264 which, incombination with a second transistor 266, comprises the AND circuit 182.The emitter element of the transistor 264 is connected to the collectorelement of the transistor 266, and the emitter element of the transistor266 is connected to a ground connection 308 through a conductor 268.

The transistors 264 and 266 of the AND circuit 182 are turned on to lockthe relay coil 216 in an energized state as follows. When the autoengine is initially started, a series of pulses are established in thecoil of the distributor 174 (FIG. 3) in a known manner. The pulses fromthe distributor coil are fed to the ignition pulse detector 176 througha conductor 270 and-a capacitor 272. The ignition pulse detector circuit176 comprises diodes 274, 276 and 278 which are connected in a manner tocontrol the'amplitude of the signal received from the ignition coil 174.The diodes of the ignition pulse detector circuit 176 are preferablyselected and connected to limit the pulse amplitude signals passedthrough the ignition pulse detector to 12 volts, thereby establishing anaverage voltage output signal from the detector circuit which isgenerally consistent between different auto models having varyingignition pulse amplitudes.

The diode 276 is connected through a resistor 280 to the base of atransistor 282 of the ignition lock-in circuit 180. The collectorelement of the transistor 282 is connected through a suitable conductor284 to the l2volt DC voltage source of the auto. The conductor 284 isadapted to be connected to ground through a capacitor 286 in a firstpath, and through a resistor 288 and a capacitor 290 in a second path.The emitter element of the transistor 282 is connected to a groundconnection 292 through a resistor 294. A capacitor 296 is connected inparallel with resistor 294 between the base element of transistor 282and the ground connection 292. When the ignition pulse detector 176receives pulses from the distributor coil 174 at a sufficiently highrate to turn on the transistor 282 of the ignitionlockcin circuit 180, asignal from the emitter element of the transistor 282 is fed to the baseelement of the transistor 264 through a Zener diode 298 and a resistor300. The Zener diode in this circuit provides a voltage threshold belowwhich transistor 264 will not be activated. Such a threshold is requiredto prevent circuit activation by pulses occun'ng at a slow ratecorresponding to normal cranking speeds of the automobile engine. It isonly when the engine reaches running speeds that pulses occur at asufficiently high rate to develop a DC level from the detector to exceedthe Zener threshold voltage and consequently activate or energize theignition lock-in circuit.

As noted above, known automobile door-controlled interior light switchesare generally either of the type wherein opening the door connects thelight circuit to ground, or the type wherein opening the door connectsthe light circuit to a voltage source. The door switch interlock circuit190 adapts the receiver-transmitter 12 for use with either of theseknown types of door-controlled switches. The base element of thetransistor 266 of the AND circuit 182 is connected to the collectorelement of a transistor 302 in the door switch interlock circuit 190,and to the l2-volt DC source of the auto through a pair of resistors 304and 306. The resistors 304 and 306 are selected such that when the autodoors are closed, an appropriate bias voltage is applied to the baseelement of transistor 266 to turn it on. Turning on transistor 266connects the diode 262 and conductor 260 to the ground connection 308through conductors 268 and 310, thereby completing a hold-in circuitthrough the ignition relay coil 216 during the initial running period ofthe engine. The emitter of the transistor 302 is connected to the groundconnection 308 through the conductor 310. The base element of thetransistor switches 188 of the type which, when closed, connect the baseelement to the l2-volt DC source. Closing a door switch 188 of thelatter described type through opening the associated door turns on thetransistor 302 thereby connecting the base element of transistor 266 toground and turning transistor 266 off. This disconnects the conductor260 from ground and opens the hold-in circuit to deenergize the ignitionrelay coil 216 after having once been energized during initial-enginestarting.

When using the receiver-transmitter 12 with an auto havingdoor-controlled interior light switches which, upon closing when theassociated doors are opened, connect the interior light circuit directlyto ground to complete the circuit through the light, alternativeinterlock circuitry 190 is utilized. For the latter type ofdoor-controlled light switch, a conductor 3114 is connected between suchlast-mentioned door switch and the junction of resistors 304 and 306.Closing the last described type door-controlled light switch throughopening the associated door connects the base element of transistor 266directly to ground, thereby removing the bias voltage from the baseelement of transistor 266 and turning it off. As noted, turning offtransistor 266 opens the hold-in circuit through ignition relay coil216. Thus, the effect of closing either the firstdescribed typedoor-controlled light switch or the lastdescribed door-controlled lightswitch serves to connect the base element of the transistor 266 toground and turn the transistor off, thereby opening the hold-in circuitthrough relay coil 216.

The circuitry of the receiver-transmitter 14 includes engine run timercircuit means 184 to limit the initial running period of the engine uponstarting thereof. Such a time period limitation on initial running ofthe engine is desirable to prevent continued running of the engineshould the operator or driver fail to drive the car within a reasonableperiod after starting it. Noting FIG. 5, the engine run timer circuit184 includes a transistor 320 and a unijunction 322. The base element ofthe transistor 320 is connected through resistors 328, 330, 288 andconductor 284 to the 12-volt DC source, and through a capacitor 326 anda conductor 336 to the collector element of transistor 264 in the ANDcircuit 182. A selectively operable switch means 332 is connected acrossthe resistor 328 between the base element of transistor 320 and theresistor 330. The switch means 332 is suitably connected to the timecontrol switch 44 on the casing 30 of the receiver-transmitter 12(FIG. 1) and provides a means for selectively shorting across theresistor 328 to vary the time relation of turning on or firing oftransistor 320. The collector element of transistor 320 is connected tothe 12-volt DC source through resistor 288 and conductor 284.

The unijunction 322 includes an emitter element 324 connected commonwith the emitter element of transistor 320 to the l2-volt DC sourcethrough resistor 288, a first base ele ment connected through a resistor333 and resistor 288 to the 12-volt DC source, and a second base elementconnected (a) through resistors 335, 337 and conductor 336 to thecollector element of transistor 264 in the AND circuit 182, (b) throughresistor 335, a conductor 338 and a capacitor 340 to the ground 308, and(c) through a capacitor 342 to the gate of a gate-controlled rectifier344 comprising the ignition shut-off circuit 186.

With the engine run timer circuit 184 associated with the ig nitionshut-off circuit 186 as above described, turning on transistor 320 willeffect firing of the unijunction 322 to turn on the SCR 344. Turning onSCR 344 shorts the output signals from the ignition pulse detectorcircuit 176 to the ground connection 292, thereby turning off thetransistor 282 of the ignition lock-in circuit 180. Turning offtransistor 282 correspondingly turns off transistors 264 and 266 of theAND circuit I82 and effects opening of the above-described hold-incircuit through the ignition relay coil 216 to open the ignition relayswitch 154, thereby stopping the auto engine. The switch 332 associatedwith the selector time switch 44 on the receiver-transmitter casing 30provides a means for varying the duration of initial engine runningafter starting the engine.

As noted above, when the check range pushbutton 22 on the transreceiver10 is depressed, a check range signal comprised of the RF frequency ofthe piezoelectric element 88 modulated by the audio frequencies of thegas tone generator 98 and start tone generator 100 is transmitted to thereceivertransmitter 14. If the receiver-transmitter 14 is within rangeof the signals so transmitted, the receiver-transmitter will beconverted to a transmitting state and transmit a signal to thetransreceiver 10 which establishes a continuous tone output from thespeaker 86 indicating to the operator that the auto is within range forremote starting thereof. The receiver-transmitter circuit means forproducing such a check range tone for a predetermined time periodincludes the check range ON circuit 162, the check range timer circuit166, and the check range tone generator circuit 168.

As was explained above with respect to the block diagram of FIG. 3, thereceiver-transmitter relay 164 is coupled to the relay switches 113 and124 such that when the receiver-transmitter 14 is in its normal state,the receiver-transmitter acts as a receiver, the transmitter 172 beinginoperative. In such normal receiving state, the relay coil of thereceiver-transmitter relay 164 is connected between the auto l2-volt DCsource and a receiver onoff switch circuit, indicated at 360. Thereceiver on-off switch circuit 360 includes a transistor 358 having itsbase element connected to the negative terminal of the relay coil 164through a conductor 362 and a resistor 364. The collector element 366 ofthe transistor 358 is connected to the ground reference of the IFamplifier 118 of the receiver 112, while the emitter element of thetransistor is connected to a circuit ground connection. A resistor 365is connected across the base and emitter elements of the transistor 358.The resistor 364 is selected such that when the receiver-transmitter 14is in its normal receiving state, a relatively low current will flowthrough the relay coil 164.

The above-referenced check range ON circuit 166 is operative to controlswitching of switch relays 113 and 124, and includes a siliconcontrolled rectifier 350 having its gate element connected to the ANDgate circuit through a resistor 352 and the conductor 238. A resistor354 and a capacitor 356 are connected in parallel between the gate ofSCR 350 and the ground connection 308 to which the cathode of the SCR isaiso connected. The anode of SCR 350 is connected to the negativeterminal of the receiver-transmitter relay 164 through a conductor 357.

When a check range signal is transmitted to the receivertransmitter 14,a signal is established by the AND gate circuit 160 through theconductor 238 to turn on't'he SCR 350. Turning on the SCR 350 connectsthe negative terminal of the receiver-transmitter relay 164 and theconductor 362 to the ground connection 308, thereby reducing the biasvoltage applied to the base element of transistor 358 to turn thetransistor off, and establishing a relatively high current flow throughthe relay coil. The high current flow through the relay coil 164 andconductor 357 serves as a holding current to maintain SCR 350 turned on,and is effective to actuate the relay switches 113 and 124, moving themfrom the positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 to the positions shownin dash lines whereby the receiver 112 is disconnected from thereceiver-transmitter circuit, while the transmitter circuit 172 'isconnected therein.

The check range tone generator 168 includes a unijunction 370 having abase-two element connected to the l2-volt DC source through resistors372, 288 and conductor 284. The unijunction 270 has a base-one elementconnected through a resistor 374 to the conductor 357. The emitterelement of unijunction 370 is connected to the junction of a resistor376 and a capacitor 378 which are connected in series between theeonductors 284 and 357. The check range tone generator further includesa transistor 380 having its base element con- 'nected to the emitter ofthe unijunction 370, its collector element connected to the l2-volt DCsource through resistor 288 and conductor 284, and its emitter elementconnected through a resistor 382 to conductor 357. The output of theemitter element of the transistor 380 is further connected through acoupling capacitor 384, a conductor 386 and the relay switch 124 totheaudio amplifier 122. An integrating capacitor 388 is connectedbetween the emitter element of transistor 380 and conductor 357 andserves to smooth the output voltage of transistor 380 when in aconducting state.

When the SCR 350 is turned on through applying a signal to its gate fromthe AND circuit 160, a voltage difference is established across theunijunction 370 and transistor 380 of the check range tone generatorcircuit 168 causing unijunction 370, capacitor 378 and resistor 376 tofunction as a relaxation oscillator in a known manner. Transistor 380serves as an emitter follower in a known manner to apply a signal to the'audio amplifier "122 when the receiver-transmitter 14 is in atransmitting state.

The check range timer circuit 166 serves to control the duration of thesignal produced by the tone generator circuit 168, and comprises aunijunction 390 having base-two element connected to the l2-volt DCsource through a resistor 392, resistor 288 and conductor 284.Unijunction 390 has a base-one element connected to conductor 357through a resistor 394. The emitter element of the unijunction 390 isconnected to the junction of a resistor 396 and a capacitor 398 whichare connected in series between conductors 284 and 357. The base-oneelement of the unijunction 390 is connected to the base element of thetransistor 400 through a conductor 402 and a capacitor 404. Thecollector element of transistor 400 is connected to conductor 357, andthe emitter element of the transistor is connected to the ground connec-"tion 308. A resistor 406 is connected between the base and emitterelements of transistor 400.

Turning on the SCR 350 as above described, effects a voltage differenceacross the unijunction 390, resistor 396, and capacitor 398, causing aslowly increasing voltage to appear across capacitor 398. The capacitor398 and resistor 396 are preferably selected such that the capacitorwill require a predeterminedtime period, such as sec., after turning onthe SCR 350 to build to the peak point emitter voltage of theunijunction transistor 390. When this voltage is reached the capacitor398 discharges through the unijunction 390, a signal is applied to thebase of the transistor 400, thereby turning it on. Turning on thetransistor 400 connects the conductor 357 to ground and removes theholding current from the SCR 350 to thereby return the SCR to itsblocking state. Upon discharge of the capacitor 398 across the resistor394, the signal to the base element of transistor 400 goes to zero,whereby transistor 400 is turned off. With SCR 350 and transistor 400turned off, the conductor 357 is no longer directly connected to theground connection 308, thereby eliminating the voltage differentialacross the check range tone generator circuit 168 and the check rangetimer circuit 166 necessary to effect operation thereof. Simultaneously,the necessary bias voltage is again applied to the base element oftransistor 358 of the receiver on-off circuit 360 to turn the transistoron and effect switching of relay switches 113 and 124 to the positionsshown in solid lines in FlG. 3, thereby reestablishing thereceiver-transmitter as a receiver.

As noted above, when the auto engine is initially started and producespulses from the ignition coil, such pulses are connected to the outputof the audio amplifier 122 through a suitable conductor 178. When thepulses from the ignition coil reach an average value sufficient to turntransistor 264 on, and transistor 266 of the AND circuit 182 is onbecause the auto doors are closed, then the conductor 357 is connectedto ground 308 through the diode 375 comprising the OR circuit 170,conductor 336, the AND circuit 182 and conductors 268 and 310.Connecting conductor 357 to ground 308 through the AND circuit 182serves to turn off the transistor 358 of the receiver on-off circuit 360in a manner similar to when turning on SCR 350, thereby converting thereceiver-transmitter 14 from a receiving to a transmitting state.Simultaneously, the check range tone generator circuit is again madeoperative and establishes an output signal to the audio amplifier 122.The output if the audio amplifier is also modulated by the pulses fromthe ignition coil to provide a signal through the transmitter 172 to thetransceiver 10 which produces a pulsating tone from the speaker 86indicating that the auto engine is running.

Turning off the transistors 264 and 266 of the AND circuit 182 by meansof the engine run timer circuit 184 or opening one of the car doors asabove described, disconnects the conductor 357 from ground, therebyeffecting a reversion of the receiver-transmitter 14 to a receivingstate simultaneously with stopping the auto engine.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the base portion 46 of the actuatingsolenoid 14 includes a plurality of apertures 410 therein through whichsuitable fastening means may be inserted to secure the base portion tothe floor panel 50. The base portion 46 is made from a suitablenonmagnetic material, such as plastic, and includes an upstanding coilwinding support portion 412 disposed generally centrally to the mountingapertures 410. The coilwinding support portion 412 has a generallycylindrical outer peripheral surface disposed between a lower annularshoulder 414 and an upper annular flange 416 formed normal to andpreferably integral with the upstanding support portion 412. The annularshoulder 414 is axially upwardly spaced from a planar surface 418 on thebase 46. An annular cylindrical wall 420 is disposed between the annularshoulder 414 and the planar surface 418 of the base 46.

The outer peripheral surface of annular flange 416 has a diameter equalto the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 420such that the upper flange 416 and annular wall 420 provide a generallycylindrical guide means to receive a sleeve member 422 thereon. Thesleeve member 422 has an annular wall defining an inner cylindricalsurface having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of theannular wall 420 so as to be readily received thereover. The sleevemember 422 has a longitudinal length substantially equal to the distancebetween the upper planar surface 418 of base member 46 and the uppersurface of the annular flange 416.

Sleeve member 422 is made of a ferromagnetic material, such as iron,having high magnetic permeability. One or more set screws 424 aredisposed in radial relation through suitable threaded apertures in thelower portion of the sleeve member 422 for affixing it to the base 46 ofthe actuating solenoid.

The coil winding support portion 412 of the solenoid base 46 has a coilwinding 426 disposed thereon between the shoulder 414 and annular flange416. The coil winding comprises a plurality of turns of a suitableconductor 428, the end portions of the winding being received throughappropriate apertures in the shoulder 14 and base 46 of the solenoid andadapted for connection to an electric power source such as theabove-described conductor 254, as through conductors 58 (FIG. 1). Theconductor 428 is suitably insulated to prevent shorting betweenconvolutions of the coiled conductor winding.

The coil winding support portion 412 of the solenoid base portion 46 hasa cylindrical central core receiving bore 430 extending downwardlytherein which serves to receive a first ferromagnetic means comprising acylindrical ferromagnetic core 432. The core 432 is suitably supportedby the cap member 48 in generally normal relation to an end surface 434thereof, as through a screw 435. The'core 432 has a longitudinal lengthslightly less than the depth of the recess 430 in the winding supportportion 412 of base portion 46, and has an outer diameter slightly lessthan the diameter of the recess 430 so as to allow ready axial movementof the core within the recess.

.The upper movable cap member or portion 48 of the actuating solenoid 14includes an annular wall 436 having an internal diametrical surfacesufficient to allow the cap member to be received over the annularferromagnetic sleeve member 422 for movement toward and away from thebase 46.

Second ferromagnetic means comprising an annular generally planarferromagnetic plate 438 is retained against the undersurfaee of end 434of the upper solenoid cap member 48 by the upper end surface of thecylindrical core 432 and the screw 436. The planar ferromagnetic plate438 is disposed in normal relation to the core 432 and has an outerperipheral surface of a diameter sufficient to be received within theannular wall portion 436. The longitudinal length of the annular wall436 is such that upon movement of the upper portion 48 of the actuatingsolenoid toward the base 46, the annular plate 438 will engage the upperedge surface of the sleeve member 422 to thereby limit downward movementof the upper cap member 48 of the solenoid. As noted above, the upperportion 48 of the actuating solenoid 14 serves to support an L-shapedactuating rod 56. The L-shaped actuating rod is secured within asuitable bore of an extending arm 440 formed integral with or otherwisesuitably secured to the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 436generally adjacent the upper end surface 434 thereof. The L- shapedactuating rod 56 is adjustable relative to the arm 440 and can beretained in a selected position therein through suitable set screws 442.

The actuating solenoid 14 includes means for preventing rotationalmovement of the upper cap portion 48 relative to the base portion 46during actuation thereof. Such means includes a guide shaft 444 which isthreadedly secured to the base portion 46 normal to the planar surface418 thereof as through a threaded end portion received within anappropriate threaded aperture, and a lock nut 446. The guide shaft 444extends through a bore 448 in a generally radially projecting armportion 450 formed integral with or otherwise suitably secured to theannular wall 436 of the upper cap portion 48 generally adjacent thelower end thereof. The guide shaft 444 includes an upper head portion452 which limits upward movement of the upper cap portion 48 of theactuating solenoid relative to the base portion 46. A coil compressionspring 454 is disposed about the guide shaft 444 between the lock nut446 and a lower surface of the extending arm portion 450 and providesmeans to urge the upper cap portion 48 upwardly away from the base 46.

lt has been found desirable to piovide an axial stroke of 1 /4 inchesfor the upper cap portion 48 of the actuating solenoid 14 to insureproper actuation of the accelerator linkage member 52 described abovewith respect to FIG. 1. -Such desired stroke may be readily obtainedthrough proper selection of the length of the guide shaft 444 and thelongitudinal lengths of the sleeve member 422 and the annular wall 436of the upper cap portion 48, it being desirable that the head 452 of theguide shaft 444 serve as the limit in upward travel, while downwardtravel be limited through engagement of the plate 438 against the upperedge surface of the sleeve member 422.

In operation, an appropriate voltage signal is applied to the coilwinding 426 through the conductor 428 such that the applied currentestablishes a magnetic field about the coil winding in a known manner.The magnetic field about the coil winding 426 exerts a force on thefirst ferromagnetic core means 432 in a direction to move the cap member48 downwardly toward the base46 The ferromagnetic sleeve 422 is disposedabout the coil winding 426 such that a mag netic field will be inducedabout the sleeve from the magnetic field established about the coilwinding from the applied current. The magnetic field induced in theferromagnetic sleeve member 422 is such that a field gradient isestablished adjacent the upper end surface thereof in a known manner. Asthe cap member 48 and core 432 are pulled downwardly toward the base 46due to the force exerted thereon from the magnetic field of coil winding426 as above described, the second ferromagnetic means comprising theannular ferromagnetic plate 438 enters the magnetic field gradientestablished in the sleeve 422 by the induced magnetic field thereabout,which field thereupon exerts a further force on the cap member 48 in adirection to move it downwardly toward base 46. The conductor 428 isselected such that upon connection thereof in circuit with theabove-described conductor 254 of the gas relay switch 150, applying theauto 12- volt DC source to the conductor will establish a downward forceof 24 pounds as the upper cap member 48 of the actuating solenoid ispulled downwardly by magnetic forces exerted upon core 432 and plate438.

Having thus described the actuating solenoid 14, it can be seen thatwhen the solenoid is installed on the floor panel 50 as described abovewith respect to FIG. l, a current applied to the conductor 426 upondepressing the gas button 26 on the transceiver 10 will effect downwardmovement of the upper cap portion 48 of the solenoid to thereby depressthe accelerator linkage 52 through the L-shaped rod 56.

While the above-described remote control system comprising thetransceiver l0 and the receiver-transmitter 14 has been illustrated.with the transceiver being adapted to transmit a check range signal, astart signal, and a gas signal to effect selected functions through thereceiver-transmitter, the present invention contemplates that otherfunctions may be readily performed by the receiver-transmitter upon thesend ing of selected signals from the transceiver. For example, thetransceiver 10 can be adapted to transmit additional signals through theaddition of tone generators, with various combinations of the tonegenerator frequencies being used to modulate the RF signal of thetransmitter 72; Correspondingly, the receiver-transmitter 14 can bereadily modified such that upon receipt of a selected signal from thetransceiver 10, a function other than those above-described isperformed. More specifically, additional relay switches, such as theabovedescribed relay switches 150, 152 and 154, could be added to thereceiver-transmitter 14 such that upon receipt of a selected signal fromthe transceiver, an automobile air conditioner or heater is turned on.In addition, it is contemplated that the receiver-transmitter could bereadily modified to actuate a convertible top operating motor such thatupon receipt of a selected signal, the convertible top will be loweredor raised.

Thus, while preferred embodiments of our invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims areintended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim:

l, A system for remotely starting an engine of an automobile havingdoors, an ignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever meansfor selectively effecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising, in combination, a transceiver adapted to transmit aplurality of radio signals, said transceiver including circuit meansadapted to produce a plurality of audio frequency signals and modulatean RF signal with selected ones of said audio frequency signals toestablish said radio signals, and receiver-transmitter means includingcircuit means adapted to effect energizing of the ignition circuit andthe starter motor upon receipt of a selected signal from saidtransceiver to start the automobile engine, said transceiver beingadapted to transmit a check range signal, and said receiver-transmittercircuit means being adapted to transmit a signal to said transceiverresponsive to said check range signal indicating that the automobile iswithin range to remotely start the engine thereof.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said receivertransmittercircuit means includes a timing circuit operative to limit the timeduration of transmission of said signal responsive to said check rangesignal.

3. A system for remotely starting an engine of an automobile havingdoors, an ignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever meansfor selectively effecting the fiow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising, in combination, a transceiver adapted to transmit aplurality of radio signals established by modulation of an RF signal,said transceiver comprising a circuit means including a plurality oftone generator having tuning fork elements therein, said tone generatorsbeing adapted to produce a plurality of separate distinct audiomodulating frequencies, said transceiver circuit further includingswitch means adapted to effect modulation of said RF signal by selectedones of said modulating frequencies, and receivertransmitter meansincluding circuit means adapted to effect energizing of the ignitioncircuit and the starter motor upon receipt of a selected signal fromsaid transceiver to start the automobile engine.

4. A system for remotely starting an engine of an automobile havingdoors, an ignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever meansfor selectively effecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising, in combination, a transceiver adapted to transmit aplurality of radio signals, said transceiver including circuit meansadapted to produce a plurality of audio frequency signals and modulatean RF signal with selected ones of said audio frequency signals toestablish said radio signals, and receiver-transmitter means includingcircuit means adapted to effect energizing of the ignition circuit andthe starter motor upon receipt of a selected signal from saidtransceiver whereby to start the automobile engine, saidreceiver-transmitter circuit means including an engine-run timer circuitadapted to limit the duration of running of the engine after initialstarting thereof.

5. A system for remotely starting an engine of an automobile havingdoors, an ignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever meansfor selectively effecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising a transceiver adapted to transmit a plurality of radiosignals, said transceiver including circuit means adapted to produce aplurality of audio frequency signals and modulate an RF signal withselected ones of said audio frequency signals to establish said radiosignals, and

receiver-transmitter means including circuit means adapted to effectenergizing of the ignition circuit and the starter motor upon receipt ofa selected signal from said transceiver whereby to start the automobileengine, said receiver-transmitter circuit means including a door switchinterlock circuit associated with the doors of the auto, said interlockcircuit being adapted to tenninate running of the automobile engineafter initial starting thereof upon opening of a door of the automobile.

6. A system for remotely starting an engine of an automobile havingdoors, an ignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever meansfor selectively effecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising a transceiver adapted to transmit a plurality of radiosignals, said transceiver including circuit means adapted to produce aplurality of audio frequency signals and modulate an RF signal withselected ones of said audio frequency signals to establish said radiosignals, and receiver-transmitter means including circuit means adaptedto effect energizing of the ignition circuit and the starter motor uponreceipt of a selected signal from said transceiver whereby to start theautomobile engine, said receiver-transmitter circuit including means toeffect transmission of a pulsating tone signal to said transceiver uponstarting of the engine by said selected signal.

7. A system for remotely starting an engine of an automobile having anignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever means forselectively effecting the flow of fuel to the engine, comprising, incombination, a transceiver adapted to transmit a plurality of radiosignals, receiver-transmitter means including circuit means adapted toeffect energizing of the ignition circuit and the starter motor uponreceipt of a selected signal from said transceiver to start theautomobile engine, and an actuating solenoid operatively associated withsaid receiver-transmitter means and the fuel flow lever means, saidactuating solenoid comprising a base having a coil winding supportportion, said coil winding support portion having a core receiving boretherein, a coil winding disposed on said base winding support portionand adapted to establish a magnetic field thereabout, a ferromagneticsleeve member disposed about said coil and adapted to have a magneticfield induced thereabout from the magnetic field established about saidcoil winding, a cap member received over said sleeve member for movementtoward and away from said base, first ferromagnetic means supported bysaid cap member for axial movement within said core receiving bore suchthat the magnetic field about said coil exerts a force on said firstferromagnetic means in a direction to move said cap member toward saidbase, and second ferromagnetic means supported by said cap member in amanner such that said second ferromagnetic means enters the magneticfield induced in said sleeve member during movement of said cap membertoward said base to exert a further force on said cap member in adirection to move said cap member toward said base, and means supportedby said cap member for engagement with the fuel flow lever means, saidreceiver-transmitter means including circuit means adapted to effectenergizing of said coil winding upon receipt of a selected signal fromsaid transceiver to actuate the fuel flow lever means.

8. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 7 wherein said meanssupported by said cap member for engagement with said lever meansincludes an actuating rod supported by said cap member for adjustmentrelative thereto.

9. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 7 including means forpreventing rotational movement of said cap member relative to said base.

10. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 7 including means urgingsaid cap member away from said base.

11. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 7 wherein said firstferromagnetic means comprises a cylindrical ferromagnetic core havingupper and lower end portions and being adapted to be received withinsaid core receiving bore for axial movement therein.

12. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 11 wherein said secondferromagnetic means comprises an annular planar ferromagnetic platedisposed in normal relation to said ferromagnetic core.

13. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 12 wherein said cap memberincludes an annular wall portion adapted to be received over said sleevemember, and wherein said ferromagnetic plate is retained between theupper end of said cylindrical ferromagnetic core and said cap member.

1. A system for remotely starting an engine of an automobile havingdoors, an ignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever meansfor selectively effecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising, in combination, a transceiver adapted to transmit aplurality of radio signals, said transceiver including circuit meansadapted to produce a plurality of audio frequency signals and modulatean RF signal with selected ones of said audio frequency signals toestablish said radio signals, and receiver-transmitter means includingcircuit means adapted to effect energizing of the ignition circuit andthe starter motor upon receipt of a selected signal from saidtransceiver to start the automobile engine, said transceiver beingadapted to transmit a check range signal, and said receiver-transmittercircuit means being adapted to transmit a signal to said transceiverresponsive to said check range signal indicating that the automobile iswithin range to remotely start the engine thereof.
 2. A system asdefined in claim 1 wherein said receiver-transmitter circuit meansincludes a timing circuit operative to limit the time duration oftransmission of said signal responsive to said check range signal.
 3. Asystem for remotely starting an engine of an automobile having doors, anignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever means forselectively effecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising, in combination, a transceiver adapted to transmit aplurality of radio signals established by modulation of an RF signal,said transceiver comprising a circuit means including a plurality oftone generator having tuning fork elements therein, said tone generatorsbeing adapted to produce a plurality of separate distinct audiomodulating frequencies, said transceiver circuit further includingswitch means adapted to effect modulation of said RF signal by selectedones of said modulating frequencies, and receiver-transmitter meansincluding circuiT means adapted to effect energizing of the ignitioncircuit and the starter motor upon receipt of a selected signal fromsaid transceiver to start the automobile engine.
 4. A system forremotely starting an engine of an automobile having doors, an ignitioncircuit, an electric starter motor, and lever means for selectivelyeffecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine, comprising, incombination, a transceiver adapted to transmit a plurality of radiosignals, said transceiver including circuit means adapted to produce aplurality of audio frequency signals and modulate an RF signal withselected ones of said audio frequency signals to establish said radiosignals, and receiver-transmitter means including circuit means adaptedto effect energizing of the ignition circuit and the starter motor uponreceipt of a selected signal from said transceiver whereby to start theautomobile engine, said receiver-transmitter circuit means including anengine-run timer circuit adapted to limit the duration of running of theengine after initial starting thereof.
 5. A system for remotely startingan engine of an automobile having doors, an ignition circuit, anelectric starter motor, and lever means for selectively effecting theflow of fuel to the automobile engine, comprising a transceiver adaptedto transmit a plurality of radio signals, said transceiver includingcircuit means adapted to produce a plurality of audio frequency signalsand modulate an RF signal with selected ones of said audio frequencysignals to establish said radio signals, and receiver-transmitter meansincluding circuit means adapted to effect energizing of the ignitioncircuit and the starter motor upon receipt of a selected signal fromsaid transceiver whereby to start the automobile engine, saidreceiver-transmitter circuit means including a door switch interlockcircuit associated with the doors of the auto, said interlock circuitbeing adapted to terminate running of the automobile engine afterinitial starting thereof upon opening of a door of the automobile.
 6. Asystem for remotely starting an engine of an automobile having doors, anignition circuit, an electric starter motor, and lever means forselectively effecting the flow of fuel to the automobile engine,comprising a transceiver adapted to transmit a plurality of radiosignals, said transceiver including circuit means adapted to produce aplurality of audio frequency signals and modulate an RF signal withselected ones of said audio frequency signals to establish said radiosignals, and receiver-transmitter means including circuit means adaptedto effect energizing of the ignition circuit and the starter motor uponreceipt of a selected signal from said transceiver whereby to start theautomobile engine, said receiver-transmitter circuit including means toeffect transmission of a pulsating tone signal to said transceiver uponstarting of the engine by said selected signal.
 7. A system for remotelystarting an engine of an automobile having an ignition circuit, anelectric starter motor, and lever means for selectively effecting theflow of fuel to the engine, comprising, in combination, a transceiveradapted to transmit a plurality of radio signals, receiver-transmittermeans including circuit means adapted to effect energizing of theignition circuit and the starter motor upon receipt of a selected signalfrom said transceiver to start the automobile engine, and an actuatingsolenoid operatively associated with said receiver-transmitter means andthe fuel flow lever means, said actuating solenoid comprising a basehaving a coil winding support portion, said coil winding support portionhaving a core receiving bore therein, a coil winding disposed on saidbase winding support portion and adapted to establish a magnetic fieldthereabout, a ferromagnetic sleeve member disposed about said coil andadapted to have a magnetic field induced thereabout from the magneticfield established about said coil winding, a cap member received oversaid sleeve member for movement toward and away from said base, firstferromagnetic means supported by said cap member for axial movementwithin said core receiving bore such that the magnetic field about saidcoil exerts a force on said first ferromagnetic means in a direction tomove said cap member toward said base, and second ferromagnetic meanssupported by said cap member in a manner such that said secondferromagnetic means enters the magnetic field induced in said sleevemember during movement of said cap member toward said base to exert afurther force on said cap member in a direction to move said cap membertoward said base, and means supported by said cap member for engagementwith the fuel flow lever means, said receiver-transmitter meansincluding circuit means adapted to effect energizing of said coilwinding upon receipt of a selected signal from said transceiver toactuate the fuel flow lever means.
 8. An actuating solenoid as definedin claim 7 wherein said means supported by said cap member forengagement with said lever means includes an actuating rod supported bysaid cap member for adjustment relative thereto.
 9. An actuatingsolenoid as defined in claim 7 including means for preventing rotationalmovement of said cap member relative to said base.
 10. An actuatingsolenoid as defined in claim 7 including means urging said cap memberaway from said base.
 11. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 7wherein said first ferromagnetic means comprises a cylindricalferromagnetic core having upper and lower end portions and being adaptedto be received within said core receiving bore for axial movementtherein.
 12. An actuating solenoid as defined in claim 11 wherein saidsecond ferromagnetic means comprises an annular planar ferromagneticplate disposed in normal relation to said ferromagnetic core.
 13. Anactuating solenoid as defined in claim 12 wherein said cap memberincludes an annular wall portion adapted to be received over said sleevemember, and wherein said ferromagnetic plate is retained between theupper end of said cylindrical ferromagnetic core and said cap member.